Virgin Australia reveals toilet paper April Fool’s Day prank - but it’s not what you think

CORONAVIRUS has turned everyone's lives upside down as airlines and the travel industry have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic. As a result, Virgin Australia chose to celebrate April Fool's Day with a twist this year.

April Fool’s Day is an annual custom celebrated on the first day of April which sees folk carrying out practical jokes and hoaxes. However, things are a little different this year as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the globe. Normally, airline Virgin Australia pulls off an annual prank.

So, Virgin Australia decided to focus on loo roll for their April Fool’s Day, only this time in a positive way.

Today, the airline announced it will rescue thousands of toilet paper rolls from 125 of its grounded aircraft and storage facilities.

They will then be donated to vulnerable members of the community via the airline’s community partners, including The Salvation Army.

Virgin Australia General Manager, Product and Customer, Sarah Adam, said: “We are known for pranking travellers each year with April Fool’s Day announcements, but we’ve decided that this year, we’ve all been punked enough by 2020.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to temporarily reduce our flying schedule and ground 125 aircraft, which means there is a lot of toilet paper not being used, and we want to ease some of the stress that so many Australians are currently facing.

“Each year our passengers use enough toilet paper to stretch from Sydney to Los Angeles, so we’re thrilled that in true Virgin spirit, we’re going to help the elderly, the vulnerable, medical staff, and our charity partners, by giving them the supply of toilet paper that’s currently locked up in our grounded aircraft and storage facilities throughout Australia.”

Adam concluded: “On a day where the world usually anticipates what April Fool’s tricks brands might play, we couldn’t be happier to not be punking anyone today and spreading some toilet paper goodness to those who need it most.”

Toilet paper brand Kleenex is also contributing to the worthy cause.

Virgin Australia: The toilet paper will then be donated to vulnerable members of the community (Image: Getty Images)

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All Virgin’s intentional flights were grounded on Monday but the airline Virgin Australia continues to operate a limited schedule of domestic services for the transportation of essential services, critical freight, government operations, and to support guests who may need to travel interstate for critical roles or compassionate reasons.

The airline’s international operations are scheduled to resume on 14 June 2020.

As for guest support, Virgin said: "Virgin Australia guests who are booked to travel between now and 30 June 2020 are encouraged to visit the Virgin Australia customer care hub at virginaustralia.com to request a travel credit online or obtain more information about their options."Virgin Australia and Tigerair Australia guests who are booked to travel between now and 31 March 2020 are being provided flexibility to change their flight to a Virgin Australia service departing on or before 27 March with change fees and fare difference waived. This can be done via our Guest Contact Centres or at the airport, subject to availability. "All other Tigerair Australia customers will be able to obtain a Virgin Australia travel credit. All Tigerair customers who have an existing Tigerair travel credit will have that transferred to a Virgin Australia travel credit."